First then _hypocrites_ pray but in a _form_ and _lip-labour_, as a _task_ and _work_ to be done for _carnall respects_, to merit at _Gods_ hand, or to stop the mouth of _conscience_, which tels them they cannot be Gods children except they pray: But true prayer is the pouring out of the heart to God, the true breathing of the _soul_ to God, arising as _Incense_ and _perfume_ unto God: Hence (no doubt) although _Paul_ before his conversion prayed much unto _God_, (for he was a Pharasie) yet he never praid _indeed_, untill his great _change_, and the descending of the holy _Spirit_ of prayer upon him; And therefore the Lord sends _Ananias_ with this incouragement unto _Paul_: Behold he prayeth, _Act. 9_. [Sidenote: and hath more or lesse some soul-pleasure in it.] Hence _Gods children_ find a kind of holy _pleasure_ and _delight_ in _prayer_, whatever be the event or issue, it pleaseth _God_ to give, like as a man finds delight in casting off an heavy _burthen_ from his _shoulder_, or in the _unbossoming_ of a _grief_, into the _bosome_ of a _friend_. Thus _Hanna_ opprest with _grief_ weeps no more, when she had _powred_ forth her _supplication_ before the _Lord_: And the _Lord Jesus_ _powred_ forth his _prayers_, and _tears_, in the bosome of his _Father_, and then rests quiet in his _Fathers pleasure_, as touching the _passing by_, or _drinking_ of the _bitter cup_. _Obj._ But may not the _children_ of _God_ want holy _pleasure_ and _delight_ in prayer, and depart from _Gods presence_ as _heavy_ as they came? [Sidenote: Gods children are most in private with God.] I answer, some _spirituall distempers_ may hinder, and _obstruct_ the _operations_ of the _Spirit of prayer_: nevertheles the _soul_ and _spirit_ praies and mourns for the _absence_ of holy _pleasure_, and _delight_ in this holy _exercise_. Hence _Davids mourning_ (as a _Turtledove_) in his _prayers_, and _Jeremies lamentings_ for the _obstructions_, between the _Lord_ and their _souls_, in this holy _Communion_. The second _difference_ is, the _Hypocrites_ prayers more respect the _ears_ of _men_ then _God_, as the _Lord Jesus_ tells us; They pray that men may know so much, and esteem them _Religious_: _Gods children_, like true _lovers_, delight to be private, and fervent with their heavenly _Father_ and _Husband_. [Sidenote: The prayers of Gods people most respect spiritual and soul mercies.] Thirdly, _Hypocrites_ in their _prayers_ most commonly respect _earthly_ things, (and therefore _Hos. 7_.) they cry and howl upon their _Beds_, for _corn_ and _wine_: or at the best they respect but _themselves_, &c. although it be in the _pardon_ of their _sins_, and _saving_ of their _Souls_: But the _prayers_ of _Gods children_, chiefly eye _heavenly_ things.